Berlusconi Criticizes Leonardo's Tactics: AC Milan Need a New Coach?

He's unhappy with the team's current form and criticized the rookie manager Leonardo and his tactics after the Champions League round-16 loss against Manchester United at the San Siro.

Berlusconi slammed the way Milan played in Tuesday night's 3-2 defeat.

Rossoneri's indifferent form is a real cause for concern. Milan needed to strengthen their squad with relatively younger players, but never managed to find quality prodigies which has forced them to continue with the aged war-horses.

But, at the fag end of the season these old legs are more of a liability than anything else.

Ronaldinho has been in scintillating form so far. The new 4-3-3 formation gave him more freedom to play his natural game, but never got ample support from his teammates.

Leonardo's new attractive brand of football has been widely appreciated, but he doesn't have the players to make it productive on a regular basis. Against top-sides his team has crumbled.

Milan lost both the derby matches against Inter, and virtually ended their Scudetto dreams for yet another year.

However, their record in Europe is simply intimidating and was expected to make it into the later stages of the Champions League, instead flattered to deceive.

The chances of advancing into the quarter-finals are remote after losing the home leg. They now have an uphill task of beating Manchester United at Old Trafford in the return leg.

Meanwhile, Leonardo is furious about the criticism and has hit back at Berlusconi. He insists he will have no scruples about walking away from the post if he's no longer needed at Milan.

He made it clear that he's not happy with Berlusconi's criticisms and revealed his support for the team and the players.

"If the president wants me to leave, he just needs to say the word. The most important thing we need to progress is calmness and these things don't help a team. Against Manchester we were the better side and that warrants defending. We lost but those things need to be analysed with logic. For a while this team produced some incredible football and that deserves to be defended," said Leonardo.

He also made it clear that there isn't any contractual problems and is willing to step down if asked to do so.

Milan are currently nine points adrift of the leaders Inter with a game in hand, and travel to Bari on Sunday hoping to end their poor run of form.

Is it necessary to sack Leonardo at this point in time? Let your opinions be known.